I have read SO MANY NEGATIVE rumours about Ryanair that if you were to believe them you'd come to the conclusion that it's a terrible airline to work for.
I disagree totally. I worked for them for over a year and left because a job come up closer to where my family and I wanted to live. Ryan Air was great to work for:
1.The roster was stable and requesting days leave when you wanted was never a problem.
2. The money was excellent, as a SFO I took home on average £3,600 pounds (after tax) per month.
3. The planes were always on time.
4. The colleagues I flew with were from 35 different countries and ALL very professional and very easy to get on with.
5. Excellent maintenance and well maintained aircraft.
I read about getting union representation and I reckon it's a VERY bad idea. I have worked and am currently working for an airline with union representation and I find it a total mess. Ryan Air pilots, like Southwest Airlines pilots are intelligent enough to sit down with company management and work out a deal. They don't need to rely on some HIGH paid union guy to do the talking and negotiating for them at the cost of 1% your annual salary.
Now I agree that flying 4 sectors a day in a fast operation like Ryan Air can be tiring and stressful, but it's great experience for 2 to 3 years before moving onto something a bit more relaxing.
Having worked for other low cost outfits I rank Ryan Air as number one and I would advice any young man/lady starting out in flying that a 2 to 3 year at Ryan Air would do them a world of good. Go for it and don't listen to the negative talk.
I always find that a good way to find out if an airline will suit you is to talk to those that fly the line. Look at the roster pattern, leave system and money in pocket at the end of the month.
May the Force be with you,
Obi Wan Kirk